As I drive along US-460, I look up at the rolling hills rising high on either side of me. It is a beautiful valley I find myself in between the Blue Ridge and the Allegheny Mountains. As I travel further, I also start to see the distinctive limestone buildings made of Hokie Stone – where multiple shades of gray come together to create a color all its own. While it’s summer here, there’s still a buzz of energy surrounding this college town. And as I step foot on campus, I’m excited to revisit familiar haunts, and find new places that I’ve yet to explore.
Blacksburg is a town in Montgomery County, located a little over 3 hours west of Richmond. If you’re looking for a great definition of a college town, Blacksburg is a prime example, with Virginia Tech being a dominant presence in the area. My oldest was attending wrestling camp at the university, so of course I took advantage and stayed for a LOVE sign adventure. There is one official LOVE sign, in what is considered downtown Blacksburg.
There is no way I can write this blog without first touching on Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly referred to as Virginia Tech. Given I’m a Radford graduate, it was a short drive to visit some of my dearest friends who went to Tech. The university “offers 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to its 37,000 students; and as of 2016, it was the state’s second-largest public university by enrollment.” And while some may be overwhelmed by its size, whenever I visit I still get a local community feel from the students and residents.
Virginia Tech also offers a plethora of collegiate sports to its students (I see you wrestling!). The sport that left the biggest impact on me when visiting was football. I can still hear the roar of the crowds going to my first college games in the late 90’s. There are few comparisons to the hype and excitement you experience at Lane Stadium watching the Hokies play. (I mean, it’s hard to beat an intro like Enter Sandman, and then have Metallica rock that song on your home turf). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Virginia is home to so many amazing colleges and universities, and Virginia Tech is no exception.
Once my oldest got settled at camp, I made a beeline to Macado’s for lunch. Anyone that went to school west of Richmond is likely familiar with this awesome sandwich, sub and entree place. I am admitting my bias here – Macado’s is the BEST :). First let’s talk about the decor of the place – vintage sports memorabilia, antique collectibles and crazy large cartoon decor. You’ll never walk into a Macado’s that looks the same, but they all have a similar eclectic feel that connects them together
Now let’s talk about the menu, especially the sandwiches. Known for their unique names, these handhelds offer a variety that will gratify even the pickiest of eaters. If you’ve met someone that loves Macado’s, they’ll be able to name their sandwich of choice, because it is that good. My go-to is the Johnee Dee, grilled chicken on a bagel with provolone and pepperoni. It comes with a side of Ruffle chips and homemade ranch – oh yeah, it is always delicious.
Next I make my way downtown to visit the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation. Here is where I find out where the town’s name comes from – the Black family. The museum is located in a Queen Anne Victorian style home built in the late 1800’s. Alexander Black, a descendant of Blacksburg’s Founder, built the home to show “how successful one could be in this small southwestern Virginia town”. Inside, you’ll learn about the history of the Black family and how Blacksburg was established.
In addition to history, the museum has a rotating art exhibit, and programs for both adults and children to enjoy. This was an excellent stop to learn about an area that I had frequently visited in my younger years.
After the museum, I continue my walk through downtown and visit Blacksburg Books. It is a quaint new and used book store that has been recognized by Virginia Living Magazine as being one of the best book stores in southwest Virginia. Customers will experience a room filled with books covering several genres. While there, you can also order drinks and snacks, and relax in their soft seating area. Books have become my latest obsession and I left with two first editions of books I read as a young adult.
If you’re looking for your next music festival outfit, Nice Dreams in downtown may be a great place to start. What a fun store that sells bohemian style clothing, boho type gifts, and glass, silicone and water pipes. The cashier was so thoughtful and helpful – we shared what music we love and festivals we’ve been to. I purchased a cute pair or tye-dyed shorts that I can’t wait to wear at my next concert.
Next I check-in to my hotel at Main Street Inn, located in the Heart of Historic Downtown Blacksburg. Here there is so much within walking distance, to include the Virginia Tech campus, restaurants, and shops. The inn has about 30 rooms, each offering a sitting area with a nice sized fridge, microwave and wet bar. I felt safe and comfortable staying here (important for someone traveling alone) and I would absolutely stay here again the next time I come to Blacksburg.
Before heading to dinner, I grab a cocktail at Twisted Liquid, also a recipient of Best in Virginia, winning first place for cocktails in the southwest region. It almost has a speak easy vibe when you walk in, the walls are a rich dark color with pale blush pink upholstered seating throughout. The menu offers an impressive list of cocktails that any mixologist would be curious about. I ordered the Marie Antoinette that came in a super fun and unique champagne flute. I would definitely come back with friends to enjoy the drinks and atmosphere in the future.
For dinner, The Cellar was recommended to me by one of my dearest friends Brian, who attended Virginia Tech while I was at Radford. Known as “Blacksburg’s original underground tavern”, it is a place where anyone can experience a very good meal, enjoy a beverage from an extensive beer list, and depending on the night, music from local bands. They also recently opened a craft beer store, connected to the restaurant so customers can take some of their favorites home. I devoured my Margherita pizza with a glass (or two) of Cabernet Sauvignon. It was delicious.
And before heading back to the hotel, I’d be remiss not to give a shout-out to Sharkey’s which is next door to The Cellar. If those walls and floors could talk, they would tell so many tales of college students coming together and having the best time. I can still remember some of my nights spent there with friends – the memories definitely brought a smile to my face.
The next day before leaving the area I make two quick stops. First, at Coffeeholics to grab a beverage and breakfast sandwich. What a chill coffee shop with a stunning mural of a purple owl painted on the restaurant front. Coffeeholics was also recognized as the best breakfast in Blacksburg in 2025. What’s also great about this place is that the official Blacksburg LOVE sign is on the side of the building (see the pic at the top of this blog).
Another dear friend (thank you Ellen!) told me I had to try Carol Lee Donuts before leaving town, and I’m so glad that I did. While I’m not the biggest donut fan, I think this place could convert me. Just the smell of sweet baked dough and sugar had my stomach growling (and I’d just eaten breakfast!). I ordered a variety to bring back home to my boys and then ordered a blueberry cake donut for myself. And I’m not exaggerating when I tell you it may have been the best one that I’ve ever eaten.
Blacksburg is a place to love…
Blacksburg is a town where the college campus and local community seem to come together to create a special place. While it may appear vast in size, there is still a rural and country feel to the area that is comforting and familiar. And the views of the surrounding mountain ranges are just hard to beat. If you’re looking for the bustle of a hopping college town that comes with the comforts of a quaint main street vibe, Blacksburg has both for you to enjoy and more.
Headed to Blacksburg? Check-out their website to get you started.
♥️♥️♥️♥️
| Official ♥️ Signs Visited = 54 | LOVEworks Official Signs = 336 |
| Unofficial ♥️ Signs Visited = 45 | LOVEworks Unofficial Signs = 400+ |
| TOTAL VISITED = 99 | TOTAL LOVEworks Signs = 700+ |
Is this your first Leah LOVES Virginia blog post read? Thank you for taking the time to visit. If you’re wondering how this adventure got started, check-out my first blog post and my about page. Want to stay connected? It’s super easy and you’ll only hear from me when a new blog gets posted. You can also follow along by friending me on my Leah LOVES Virginia Facebook page.
Important note: I always do my best to ensure everything I include in my blogs are factual and that I also give credit and use quotations when pulling information from sources. If you believe there is something included here that needs to be addressed, please email me directly as I want to be sure it is fixed. Thank you and happy LOVE sign hunting.
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